Gray Catbird -- South Dakota Birds

Length: 9 inches Wingspan: 12 inches Seasonality: Summer
ID Keys: All gray body, dark gray cap, black tail and bill.

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensisGray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

The Gray Catbird is named for the occasional cat-like mewing that the bird makes.  Gray Catbirds have a remarkably varied vocabulary, rarely repeating the same phrase as it sings a mix of melodic and grating noises.  They will attend feeders for a wide variety of items, some of which are rarely consumed by other birds attending feeders. 

Habitat: Prefers dense, low growth, mostly commonly along woodland edges and riparian areas.  Generally avoids unbroken forest.

Diet: Primarily insects and berries.  Will also occasionally feed on other fruit, and a very wide variety of items at feeders.

Nesting: June and July

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map

Song: Gray Catbird Song, also Gray Catbird Call

Migrations: Summers throughout the eastern three-fourths of the United States.  Winters in the Southeastern United States and points south.

Feeders: Nuts, fruit, bread and other baked products, boiled potato, cheese, cornflakes...you get the idea.  Will eat a very wide array of items at feeders.

Similar Species: Northern Mockingbird

Gray Catbird - South Dakota Range MapStatus: Declining in some parts of the country.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Gray Catbird

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Gray Catbird"

3) eNature.com: Gray Catbird

Photo Information: May 14th, 2004 -- Newton Hills State Park -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Gray Catbird photos.

 

Additional Gray Catbird Photos

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis

Gray Catbird 1 Gray Catbird 2 Gray Catbird 3
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis  

Gray Catbird 4

Gray Catbird 5

 

Return to Species Page

Return to Main Page

 

Birding Top 500 Counter

Proud Member Of:

      Visit the Nature Photographers web site       

 

Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08